ABSTRACT
“Sikh Architecture” essentially has been a study of the religious buildings of the Sikh faith, namely, gurdwaras. Gurdwaras have a pivotal position in the religious, social, and political life of the Sikhs. Gurdwaras have also played a vital role in shaping the course of events of the Sikh history and in the development of the Sikh religious tradition since 1469. Architecturally, gurdwaras have evolved from a simple single-room structure to magnificent structures with elaborate detailing and decoration. This chapter endeavors to trace the architectural evolution of gurdwaras and is an attempt to understand the term “Sikh Architecture” vis-à-vis the faith, region, and time and explore the use of hermeneutics in the spatial planning of the gurdwaras. This is achieved through a broad study of certain important historical Sikh shrines.
